DOJ launches investigation into Ferguson PD

The Justice Department plans to launch a civil investigation into the Ferguson police department. (Source: KDSK/CNN)

FERGUSON, MO (CNN/RNN) - The Justice Department plans to launch a civil investigation into the Ferguson police department, according to a Missouri state and federal official.

Michael Brown, 18, was killed in August at the hands of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9.

The official source, as first reported by the Washington Post, says the focus of this investigation will be the police department's practices and training.

The investigation will be conducted by the DOJ's Civil Rights division and will follow the same investigative process as previously filed excessive force claims of police.

The announcement of the new investigation will be made as early as Thursday morning, according to the Washington Post.

The DOJ is already investigating Brown's shooting death with the help of the FBI. The DOJ have previously investigated 20 other law enforcement agencies in the last five years, and have had the legal authority to do so since 1994.

The Ferguson police department has been involved in a handful of lawsuits filed by people who claim excessive force was used.

According to NBC News, one man was charged for damaging government property when four Ferguson police officers were accused of beating him and getting his blood on their clothing.

The unrest the followed Brown's shooting death was fueled in large part to Ferguson, MO residents voicing their disdain for police in the area.